Ascot salvage point against Guernsey after trailing 3-0
Ascot United scored three goals in the final sixteen minutes to draw 3-3 with lowly Guernsey on Saturday. Trailing 3-0 at the break, the home side laid siege to Guernsey and after Ben Harris’s brilliant overhead kick had given them hope, he scored again before Khalid Simmo’s 95th minute leveller.
Seven is heaven but eight would be great!
Ascot’s seven-game winning sequence stretched back as far as early November – a month where Harry Grant won the club’s player-of-the-month award – and whilst it is one game at a time in the eyes of supremo Jamie Tompkins, this was a real chance to keep the momentum going into next weekend’s clash at leaders Farnham.
The Green Lions, struggling this season and beaten twice by Ascot last campaign, had at least picked up in their last six outings compared to the opening ten games, but they already had a lot of ground to make up languishing second-bottom in the table. And, losing a game 5-4 at home when leading 3-1 at half time – as they had done two weeks earlier against Moneyfields – does little for confidence.
The Yellamen made one change to the side that beat Harrow last time out – Chad Goulter in for the absent Connor Holland – and it was eyes down at the earlier kick-off time of 1.30pm; Guernsey bringing a reasonable quota of mainland-based supporters.
Free entry for all and The Big Man’s call
The hosts had made this a festive fun day with free entry for all – Santa was present too – but whose claws would be sunk into their opposition first?
As it transpired it was the visitors, who pressed high and forced the hosts into errors that would prove costly, and leave a mountain for Ascot to climb in the second half.
The game was only ten seconds old when Mark Scott blocked at the feet of Sam Murray, but on ten minutes it was one-nil when Charlton Gauvain’s free-kick found the unmarked Matt Loaring, who planted a well-placed header into top right.
Two minutes later and Scott was punished for dithering and gifting possession to Guernsey’s Ross Allen, who lofted the ball back into an empty net to double his side’s lead.
Owen Wallbridge then threatened a third only for Ollie Lahtinen-Kalsi’s block to deny what looked a certain goal, before Allen’s long range effort fizzed just wide of the top left.
Grant’s shot straight at Josh Addison and Anas Igozouln’s first-time effort wide of the near post were as good as it got for subdued Ascot, before Loaring arrived late for in the box – again unmarked attacking a corner-kick – to plant a 42nd minute header past Scott and give The Islanders a seemingly unassailable three-nil lead at the break.
Ascot swarm forwards after break
Harvey Harry’s introduction for Lahtinen-Kalsi at half-time co-incided with Ascot moving to three at the back, and they were swarming around Guernsey like wasps for much of the half.
Chad Goulter cracked a first-time effort off the angle of post and crossbar four minutes in, Harry slotted home only for his effort to be disallowed due to Grant’s earlier challenge on ‘keeper Addison, and Morgan’s header could have gone anywhere when deflecting off defender Jacob Fallaize and agonisingly wide with Addison rooted to his spot.
Simmo then fed Igozouln to thump the left-hand post as the battery continued, but with time ticking away, Ascot’s afternoon looked done.
Ben is the menace before Simmo sparks supporters’ celebrations
That was, however, all about to change.
74 minutes in, Harry drove in from the right, Igozouln flicked the ball on, and Harris got airborne to smash a brilliant overhead attempt into the top left.
And, when impressive substitute Aiden Payne-James linked up with Morgan three minutes later, the former’s cross left Harris with a tap-in at the far post.
Morgan’s flying header two minutes from time almost capped the comeback, Payne-James once again the provider, before desperate defending saw the ball bounce onto the top of the bar as ninety minutes ticked by; a hat-trick of woodwork encounters.
Finn Du Port’s brilliant clearance off the line from Simmo in the third minute of added time followed by Igozouln’s side-footed effort wide in the follow up looked to be enough for Guernsey, having already seen four added minutes signalled, but could the home side muster one last chance?
The answer was yes. Ascot forced another corner, Scott was waved forwards, and the big ’keeper certainly had a presence from Grant’s delivery (pictured, shooting-stars.co.uk), but in the ensuing mayhem – now approaching 95 minutes of the 94 – Simmo pounced to poke the ball into the bottom left sparking delirious scenes both on and off the pitch.
Guernsey were crestfallen – especially the exceptional Gauvain who was the only one to test Scott earlier in the half – although take nothing away from the hosts’ resolve.
What’s next for Ascot?
It’s the big one! Well, fairly big. Nowhere near as big as Wembley, but big enough. All roads lead to Surrey, and a date with the league leaders. Be there or, er, be elsewhere!
Shame on the Christmas shopping excuses too. Amazon are delivering, as are Ascot in the second half of matches.
Ascot United: Scott, Lahtinen-Kalsi (Harry 46’), Butler (Payne-James 68’), Jones (Harris 61’), Gater (Lock 80’), Edwards, Simmo, Grant, Morgan, Goulter (Fraser 68’), Igozouln
Entertainment: 5
Reporter’s Star Man: Ben Harris (Ascot) / Charlton Gauvain (Guernsey)
Away fans (estimate): 25